Characteristics of Ocean Surface Winds in the Lee of an Isolated Island Observed by Synthetic Aperture Radar

Characteristics of ocean surface winds around an isolated island are examined in relation to atmospheric stability using a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and rawinsonde sounding observations. The SAR-derived winds on 22 May 2009 indicate a low-level jet extending over 30 km behind the island. Around the time of SAR acquisition, winds intensified on the leeward side in association with the stabilization of stratified flows, which suggests the connection of the SAR-derived jet with downslope winds. A number of SAR-derived winds elucidate typical wind patterns and their transitions depending on the nondimensional mountain height . For cases of large (>2), a wake is formed in the lee of the island and low-level jets produce strong wind shear on both sides of the wake. For cases of relatively small (